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Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal’s Barclays Premier League title dreams are once again hanging by a thread following defeat to leaders Chelsea, but is not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

For the second match in succession, the Gunners – beaten 3-1 at home by Manchester United last weekend – failed to deliver when it mattered most as Didier Drogba ‘s first-half double sent the Blues back to the top of the table. Arsenal are now nine points adrift with 13 matches left, and it would seem a first championship since 2004 is once more already out of reach.

Arsene Wenger

“I feel that we are not in the best position, but we will not give up,” said a defiant Arsenal boss.

“We were a bit unfortunate as well to play Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool on the trot.

“If you lose one game it is very difficult with the psychological implications for the next game. I believe that is a little bit of a disadvantage.”

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Wenger had slammed his side for “failing to turn up” against United. But the Arsenal boss was this time at least able to take heart from the way the team had plenty of possession at Stamford Bridge – although crucially without any final end product, Andrey Arshavin missing the visitors’ best chance when it was still 1-0.

Wenger said: “I am completely happy with our performance and the spirit we have shown.

“For me, as much as we didn’t turn up against Manchester United, at Chelsea we had the expected performance.

“We were still a bit uncertain at the start of the game, but when we went into it we were completely dominant.”